(I'm a man of few and many words. So, let'sa goooooo)
The Gentle Process of Interrogation and Making Friends
Axel's POV
"So, are you going to tell me why I'm here?" I ask the guy, Ash. He just smiles and stands up, walking over and patting my head.
"Well, I was thinking about torture. Different round of it. Ya know?" He asks still smiling, "Different strokes for different folks you could say." He states, the door opens up and in comes someone. An old and grizzled looking man, wrinkles nearly everywhere on his face, lightless brown eyes, with a scratchy white beard going down to his chest and wispy wild hair. He's wearing something that looks brown, armor...it looks organic. The man's holding a jar full of black and green spiders the size of a hand.
"Evening old timer!" Ash states patting the old man on his shoulder before gesturing to me, "Donn. This is Axel, Axel. Donn." He says gesturing back and forth between us.
He gives a nod, "So." He says his voice sounding raspy and knowledgable, "Am I supposed to get to work right now?" He asks
"Yep. Have fun now." Ash tells him, just before leaving. The old man looks at me and walks over, taking a seat and opening the jar. The spiders keeping in the jar, they look...excited.
"So what's your deal?" I ask him tilting my head, "How come you're involved with this guy? You don't seem the type to follow."
He scoffs, "He gives me materials, subjects to experiment with. And I'm sure to assist in manners involving biology, torture, I could go on." He states with a shrug, "But there is another reason. For me to truly ascend to the throne I deserve."
"Whoa there man." I say a bit shocked, "Explain."
He sighs and shakes his head, pouring the spiders onto my lap. "He's providing me the opportunity to be what I should truly be. A god." He says simply with a gesture of his hand and the spiders starting to crawl up my body, their legs itchy and scratching even through the clothes. Like the legs are sharp enough to cut cloth but not enough to skin.
"I shall ascend to the highest of thrones of all. I will command mankind in the way that it was meant to be, to be subservient to the highest of all intelligences. Any who will defy my will shall find that there is no pity, remorse or mercy." He stats in a booming grandiose, theatrical tone. "All shall live only to worship my glory. Living when I want them alive, dying when I want them to die."
The spiders are covered on my body, head to toe.
So tasty, such soft flesh. Let us feast
The voices are numerous, they sound like small children. Telepathic spiders...what kind of insane asshole makes this stuff?
"Don't struggle now." The old man says, well. There's my answer I guess. Him.
"The spiders will share their experience with you. The venom will course through your veins...it'll hurt. But I be sure to fix you right up to keep going on more and more." He says
The fangs sink in. He was right, and I scream. Feeling like my blood is acid, my muscles being electrocuted and salted on. Causing me to just scream in pain at the top of my lungs and writhe in my seat.
You taste delicious. Let us share with you. LET US SHARE YOUR TASTE.
Cain's POV
There comes a time in someone's life where you ask a few questions, mine is what in the hell has Ozpin brought me here for?
"Oz-"
"Not right this moment Cain." He says to cut me off, I shake my head. The door opens to show an angry Ironwood
"James what's-"
"Not now Cain." He snaps at me before looking back at Ozpin, "One of your students was a sleeper here Oz. Him and someone else were here!"
Axel? Sleeper agent?
"What are you talking about James?" Ozpin asks, "You mean that-"
"They were here Ozpin! They were here!" James shouts, slamming his fist on the table
"We're well aware of that!" An exasperated Glynda states, "Thank you James."
"Fantastic! You're aware! Now are we going to do something about it or should we just stay the course and continue to ignore what's right in front of us?!"
"You need to calm down James." I tell him utterly calm, "There's another part of this story we haven't gotten to hear about yet."
There's an alert sound, seems the guest of honor has arrived.
"Come in." Ozpin states, the elevator doors open to reveal the silver-eyed girl. I'm still questioning Ozpin over the decision to send her forward two years to train here at Beacon, she's still a child. She'd not yet ready...she doesn't know her place yet.
"Sorry it took so long. Someone accidentally hit all the buttons on the elevator on the way up here." She explains in an apologetic tone, "Itwasn'tme."
She's cunning as a fox, absolutely guile.
"Thank you for coming, Ruby. How are you feeling?"
"Okay, I guess. I'd feel better if my bad-guy-catching record wasn't O-for-three."
There's a pregnant silence in the room, she seems to catch on and takes note. "Okay, so that's the tone we're going for, got it."
"Ruby, I feel it's appropriate to let you know that I think what you did last night is exactly what being a Huntress is all about. You recognized a threat. You took action. And you did the very best you could." Ironwood tells the girl, in a sympathetic and knowing tone
"Thank you sir." She says with a nod, she tilts her head looking at me. "I'm sorry to ask but...who're you?"
"Well Ruby, my name is Cain. I'm the person who first told Axel about the other big problem that the world is facing." I explain to her, she looks away sadly. I probably shouldn't have brought that up, "My apologizes. I...know you and Axel are close friends, and seeing what's occurred last night well. You have my sympathizes."
"It's okay."
"Now, if you could Ozpin?" I ask, he nods in response
"Now, the general here has already informed of the events that... transpired last night, but now that you've rested, we were wondering if you had anything to add."
"Was there anyone else with him?" James asks inquisitively and sharp, "Anything you noticed about him?"
"There was something going on with his voice. Didn't sound like him, and his weapon wasn't the one he usually uses...it was like a sort of whip. It didn't look like it was made of metal either, and when it hit me it sort of...ignored my Aura and went straight through me. Caused a lot of pain, saw some bad stuff too...personal stuff. But no marks on me at all."
I have to speak to Ozpin about this, soon as miss Rose leaves. Lind might have came into contact with someone with a possession based Semblance
"Can you confirm this General?" I ask, "You were there."
"I can...what she says is accurate." Ironwood says uncomfortably
"I saw someone else there too. A girl."
"Did she look familiar to you at all?" Glynda asks, miss Rose shakes her head
"I...I don't know. She was wearing a mask, and she never said anything to me." She responds, trying to remember what's happening from how she looks.
"Well. At least it helps slightly identify two." I state a bit optimistically
"Wait. You think this is connected to Torchwick and the White Fang?" Miss Rose asks
"It's possible. But we still lack the required evidence to link the two together." Ozpin replies in his usual affable tone of voice, and it seem's miss Rose's face lights up in remembering something.
"Actually, I... I think I remember her saying something about a hideout, or something, in the southeast. Just outside the Kingdom."
"Interesting."
"I thought you said the intruder never-"
"Thank you for your cooperation, Ruby." Ozpin interrupts Glynda, "Why don't you go and spend some time with your friends? You should rest up."
"Any time." Miss Rose replies, walking back toward the elevator
"And Miss Rose, please try and be...discreet about this matter." Ozpin says a bit warning
"Yes sir." She says, she looks away for a moment before looking right back. "Um...professor Cain?"
"Please. I'm not a professor, so just call me Cain." I replies cordially
"Ok, Cain. You'll help out Axel, right?" She asks, a look of worry in her eyes. I nod
"We'll be investigating into where he was taken. We'll get him back ASAP."
She gives a nod, enters the elevator which proceeds to leave.
"Well there we have it." James says after a moment of silence, "We send as many troops as we can to the southeast, find out exactly what's going on, and eradicate any forces that stand in our way."
Oh for crying out loud. Glynda lets out a growl of frustration on hearing it, and here I thought she was so calm. There goes my way of thinking.
"Why must your answer to everything involve a triumphant display of military bravado!? You treat every situation like it's a contest of measuring di-"
"Glynda!" Ozpin interrupts the lady before she can even say the word, I might as well finish.
"-ckssssssssssssss." I let out in a bit of a hiss, Ozpin giving a sharp glare that tells that I should act more mature for my age and be serious. If I was to act my age if I was a regular man I'd be a skeleton right now.
"Well, he does." Glynda sheepishly responds, true. And Ironwood frowns.
"She's right. As much as I too would love to end this situation once and for all, we must remember that this may go beyond Vale. Beyond Beacon. And if this truly is part of some master plan for which we know not the final move, we mustn't be so bold. Nor can we risk the spread of panic." Ozpin explains still calm as ever, Ironwood looking quite frustrated
"I have served you faithfully for years... but if you mean to tell me that your plan is to really hold the defenses, and wait-"
"It is not!" Ozpin snaps angrily, suddenly standing from his chair. "You're a general, James. So tell me, when you prepare to go to war, which do you send in first? The flag bearers, or the scouts?" He asks
Ironwood looks away, ashamed. "I understand..." He says quietly, "What else is there to discuss?"
"I have one thing to say." I speak out loud holding out a finger, "We need to delay sending the Huntsmen and Huntresses on missions."
"What?" The three others ask in unison
"Understand: if they end up striking it would be far less than just two people breaking into the CCT. It would lead to the deaths of these children who haven't seen real battle, it would be for the best to delay until things are right and settled. If Schwarz was so close inside Vale's interior...they could be hiding in the city." I state out grimly, "So listen when I say this. If we end up finding and destroying the base, then we can do it. Me and Dula will be searching every second of every minute of every hour to find where their base in Vale is."
There's a moment of sullen silence, dead quiet. The three gives nods of knowing.
Let's hope my paranoia is going to help out.
Axel's POV
Having been in this chair and been tortured with spiders I can start to agree with anything right now. The old man managed to heal me, not like what Gray's Semblance probably works...seems more like control over flesh. Biological stuff. I've been trying to get into contact with Cain and Cthugha, can't get anything through unfortunately. I'm trapped here until I'm found or they decide to take me outside.
The door opens up for two new arrivals. A guy and girl.
The guy looks rather dressed not like the typical goon for a sadistic sociopath, and looks like the kind of guy who'd be spending his time trying to keep away from girls and/or guys. Not in the social isolation kind of way, polar opposite in the pretty guy category.
Boyish looks, curly white hair looking like a cloud, shining grass green eyes, pale skin, lean and mean possibly fightin' machine. And he's wearing white...everything: white gloves, sweatpants, dress shoes, a pair of silverish boxes at his sides that look like...toasters, and button up dress shirt.
The girl on the other hand is in black, more tan skin too. Icy blue eyes, long inky black hair going down to her back, freckles splashed across her nose, and...a bust to nearly rival Yang's. She's wearing black boots, black pants, a sleeveless black top showing she has a robotic arm, there's the tip of a sword scabbard coming from behind her, and from looking near the ankle she has a robotic leg too.
"Nice to meet you friend." The guy in white says friendly and likable, showing a bright smile, "Mind if we take a seat?" He asks pointing at the other chair.
"Well. You and I could switch spots, that'd be nice." I suggest dryly, the two chuckle heartily together before the guy sits down. The girl looking at me a bit...hungrily, please no. I already got someone.
"'Fraid we can't do that, bound by contact." The guy says wistfully, "Time for introductions: I'm Quetza Cotal, and the lady staring at you like a piece of meat is my sister Tezca Poca." The guy in white says gesturing to himself and the girl who looks at him irritably.
"Oh like you should care." She replies in a tone mixed between annoyed and playful, "What with you playing at girls' heartstrings yourself."
He smiles guiltily raises his hands up in surrender, "Not my fault I was blessed with smoldering good looks and great combat ability. And you playing desperate." He replies just as playful, and the two just laugh and pat one another on the back like family. "Anyways. Guy who hired us sent here to ask something of you, take it from here Tez."
"He wants you to tell where this book you're hiding is." Tezca says matter-of-factly, "He said he'd let you go if you did."
The book Cain gave me? The white one? I snort and shake my head, "No thanks. Not like I can trust the word of someone who probably spends his off-time eating puppy steaks and drinking the tears of abused orphans while watching a school for the deaf burn down." I state just as matter-of-factly
"Well! Before you say anything else, we have never killed babies before." Quetzal says honestly, "But...Tezca?"
"Yeah?"
"Did uh...d-did we beat down a kid one time?"
"Yep. Sure did, HOWEVER! We were payed quite a bit."
The two look at me and hold out their hands with faces saying: 'please try and understand that we do what we do to get paid. Not out of evil.'
"I...see..." I say aloud, "My answer is no though."
The two frown sadly, and Quetzal sighs. "Well...while we're not supposed to do this, you wanna have some advice?"
"I guess."
"Try and get someone on your side to get you out." He says in a low whisper, "We're bound by contract to not help...but there may be someone here who'll be sympathetic."
The two siblings stand up and, the door opens up showing someone. Little girl...Roman's new henchy, guess the megalomaniacal maniac is here right now.
"You scared the begeezus outta me!" Tezca shouts in a bit of shocked panic. The lady in black panting, the henchy says nothing. "Well...keep watch...bye." And so the two leave, and I'm left with one.
She looks odd. Pink, white, and brown are part of her clothing and hair, she's a tiny thing...probably five foot or somewhere around four. Eyes are different from one another, bright pink and chocolate brown. A parasol at her side.
Might as well make some conversation.
"So...how's the weather outside?" I ask, she says nothing and just looks at me. Okay. Probably not the best way to start things off.
"I've seen you before you know." I say a bit quietly, "Roman's new lackey. So what's the reason he's got you around? Have to have the token lady in the sausage party? Being paid? Or are you just being manipulated until he tosses you under the bus?" I ask in rapid fire.
Her expression changes to cold anger, drawing out a needle-like blade from the parasol and pressing it against my jugular.
"I'm just taking guesses. If any offended you then...I'm sorry." I tell her, she tilts her head curiously and puts away the parasol. "Could you at least say something? I'm awful at charades, reading lips, and I don't know sign language."
She looks at me irritably and pulls out a Scroll, typing something on it before showing it to me.
Look buddy, I'm a mute. Can't make a sound out of my mouth. Think you can learn to deal with me talking like this? Or can you not read either (sarcasm)?
"Well I slightly feel like an asshole for saying that."
It's fine. You wanna know why I'm with Roman?
"Actually. I think I'd like to share my name, you can share your's too if you want." I say smiling to the girl, she raises an eyebrow curiously. "Hey. Even enemies can be friends in a way, probably involving some injuries but...friendship. So what...text you?" I ask her.
'Text you'? I'm probably making the impression that I'm not the sharpest shiv in the thief's pocket, she gives a grin and shrugs.
"Name's Axel."
She starts to type up again, showing me what she wrote up afterwards.
Neo.
"Is it short for something? Or just Neo?"
Short for Neopolitan, but just do me a favor and fall me Neo alright?
"You got it there." I say, giving a nod in place of a salute
Short for Neopolitan, but just do me a favor and fall me Neo alright?
"You got it there." I say, giving a nod in place of a salute. Hands tied and all that.
"So is your boss-"
The door opens up just in time for someone to come in, "There you are!" The gentlemanly bastard Torchwick says...relieved. "I've been lookin' all over this mad house for you-" he pauses and looks at me. Smiling not in his usually smug and domineering way, but like he's actually a bit happy. "Well hello Tangerine." He says cordially, I smile back and nod.
"Roman Torchwick...how's life been treating you?" I ask him, he shrugs
"Oh you know, same 'ol same 'ol. You?"
"Well: besides torture by spiders and other things, I'm doing pretty good." I tell him sarcastically, he winces.
"Yeesh, so much for hospitality." He says drawling, reaching into his coat and pulling out a cigar. Lighting it and taking a drag.
"I know right? Also, you know those'll kill you right?"
He smiles and breaths out a smoke ring to me, "Lots of things can kill me kid. Old age, a random thug, I can go on for days about it. Smoking is the least of my worries." He says before looking back to Neo. "Time to go."
She nods and looks at me, giving a small smile before she and Roman start walking to out the door. She did ask how she came with Roman...I should ask.
"Wait a moment." I say quickly, "What can you tell me about the girl? Neo?"
He stops, dead silent. Squeezing at his cane. Neo puts a hand on his shoulder, the two of them looking to one another for a moment. Roman turns back and takes a seat, looking...less than amused.
"You want the short, edited down version?" He asks quietly, "Or the full an unedited tale of 'Presenting: The Fall of Roman Torchwick.'?"
"Might as well get the full story."
He takes a deep breath and lets out a long exhale, "It started off in a way so simple: ended up meeting a girl, a Huntress, he name was Aurora. She was a great one...nice, smart, able to put up with me, and she was cute too." He says shrugging, well this is getting my interest to me. "Neo here was her sister, during those days it was easy going and peaceful. Just three people spending time together...I actually grew to love her, but I could never say it." He says sadly, Neo looking downward and sullen.
"You keep saying 'was'...I have the feeling something happened." I say worried, he nods
"Aurora went on a mission along with another Huntsman, her partner. She never came back...and while the bastard was on the run, ended up causing Neo to end up mute." He says, frowning sadly. "And what did the 'righteous' and 'good-willed' Kingdom of Vale do? Nothing." He sneers caustically, "So I took matters into my own hands: I made deals and worked with liars, thieves and other low-lives to try and find him. All the while I stole what I'd need to kill him, and make sure Neo's recovery went without a hitch."
"Did you...ever find him?"
"I blew his head off. His last words to me were just a taunt, 'Welcome to the dark side.'. I knew I couldn't turn back now, so I became what I am today: criminal extraordinaire." He says with a quiet sigh, "There you have it."
"I'm...sorry. I didn't-"
"You don't get to pity me." He shoots me down quickly, "And before you spew our the: 'I'll bring the operation around you' crap. Know this: The stories where the good guys win? Lies. Only the lowest of the low get to come out on top...history shows that best." He says bitterly
"But unlike what stories you've read: this right here WILL be stopped!" I say in defiance, Roman chuckles and shakes his head. He smacks me at the side of my head with his cane, knocking me to the ground.
He bends down, holding onto his cane in both hands. "Oh Tangerine, dear Tangerine. Guess you and Little Red share a similar quality: you are just determined to be the Hero of Vale aren't you?" He asks venomously
"Open your eyes Torchwick! These loons are gonna destroy Vale! Everything there is, it's gonna be gone!"
"That's the plan!"
"Why?! What the hell do you get to profit from all of this?!"
He lets out a laugh and stands back up, "Even after telling my sad little tale you still! Don't! Get IT!" He says punctuating the last few words with cane blows to my stomach, "You're asking the wrong questions Tangerine! It's not what I have to gain: it's that I can't afford to lose." He replies, walking around me. "I may be a gambling man, but even I know that there are some bets you just. Don't. Take."
He's justifying himself. Justifying why he's here in the first place, why he is what he is now.
"Like it or not! The people who hired me are gonna change the world! You can't stop 'em! I can't stop 'em!" He says looking down at me, "And you know the old saying! 'If you can't beat 'em'-"
"-'join 'em" yeah yeah blah blah, you think that I care?" I ask sharply, "Dig the wax out of your ears and listen!: I don't care how many there are, how well equipped, well trained, or whatever these guys have! If I gotta go down, then they can come with me kicking and screaming down into the mouth of hell! Guarantied!" I tell him and Neo both in defiance, Roman just scowls but grins.
"Another quality you and Red share: you got spirit Tangerine! I'll give ya that!" He says proudly, but raises his cane over head and his face twists into a scowl of anger, "But this is the real world!" He shouts, smashing the cane into me. "The real world is COLD!" He says hitting me again, "The real world, doesn't CARE about SPIRIT! You wanna be a hero? THEN PLAY THE PART AND DIE LIKE EVERY OTHER HUNTSMAN IN HISTORY!" He raves on with each end of his sentences another hit with the cane, all of those hits a blunt pain.
"As for me?" He says, panting. "I'll keep doing what I do best:" he then starts to count from his fingers for a moment. "Lie...steal...cheat...AND SURVIVE!" He finally stops, taking loud and deep pants.
There's a long silence, but I can see now.
"The world." I say quietly, "The world was never kind to you, wasn't it? It did all it could do to break you: and succeeded. And here you are now, beating me down while ranting about what the 'real world' is like, and you working with terrorists." I say still quietly, looking at him...he looks tired, weary, seen too much. "But I can see a tiny bit of something in you. I can tell that you can still have the chance to do good."
He growls and sneers, "You. Don't. Know. Me. Don't play therapist with me you little brat!" He snaps
"You know I'm right!" I snap back, "Please Roman. You still got a chance to be a good person! You think that Aurora girl would want this? For either of you?" I ask looking between him and the mute, Roman is silent and still as a statue.
"People can't change." He says, bitterly. "I'm a bastard at heart kid. Your idealism is making you see things that ain't there...sorry to tell you but." He pauses, "This is the real world. Like I said. Dark, cold, and will not give you an inch and make your life hell just for existing." He continues, he and Neo leave out the door. And my heart sinks down.
Maybe he is right: The real world is cold, doesn't care about spirit.
And I'm alone.
(That took longer than I thought it would. So there it is, time for me to work on the next one.)